NSSA Nationals Event Wrap-Up

By all means it should have been a lackluster day: zero swell forecasted, overcast skies, a Tuesday afternoon. But proper HB sandbars saved the day and 2-to 3- foot peaks wedged up and down the beach. Despite the clouds it was still shorts and T-shirt weather. And the beach was packed —with star power even, as the likes of Christian Hosoi, Kolohe Andino, Carissa Moore, BJ Penn and Makua Rothman came down to cheer on surfing’s future generations.

The first final of the day, Open Mens, did not disappoint. Ezekiel Lau threw around his tall Hawaiian frame with power and rhythm, posting two big scores early. And while Jake Halstead and Josh Moniz made late-heat pushes, Lau proved victorious and finally got that Open Mens title he has worked for his entire life.

The Open Womens division had the ladies biting their painted little nails. But it was Hawaii’s Dax McGill who took the win over Kulia Doherty — by .04 points. Dax’s younger brother Finn showed his progressive approach and took the win in Open Boys. But the heat of the day had to be the Open Juniors final. Hawaiian Kalani David picked off a bowly right, carved a smooth setup cutback and two pumps later was in the air, rotating and landing an effortless air-reverse for a 9.33.